Bend ‘Powder Palooza’ benefits area charities

Powder House Ski and Snowboards kicked off its fourth annual “Powder Palooza” pre-season sale and party Saturday, a benefit to help raise donations for local charities.

Powder House collected non-perishable food for NeighborImpact, a 21 Cares for Kids partner and warm clothes for the Bethlehem Inn homeless shelter. Patrons were also able to enter raffle contests to win prizes.

Owner Todd McGee said the Powder House puts on the event to give back to a community that has been kind to him.

“The community has been great to us, so we started this up quite a few years ago and give back to the community, and have everyone have a good time,” McGee said, “Get the season started for skiing and snowboarding.”

Each year, the Powder House has been able to raise 2,000 to 4,000 pounds of food in donations.

For barbecue lovers, Baldy’s was serving food throughout the event.

If you weren’t able to make it on Saturday, the “Powder Palooza” will be going on Sunday until 6 p.m.